Utah Jazz: Randy Foye grows more comfortable as starter

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New Orleans • Six games into his career as the starting shooting guard for the Utah Jazz, Randy Foye says he is finally comfortable with his role in the constantly changing starting five.

"The first two, three games it was like, all right, where do I go, where do I not go?"

Of course, it's all subject to change for Foye, who has been more productive since Mo Williams went down with a right foot injury. Foye took almost as many shots in two games before Wednesday without Williams (19) in the lineup, as he did in the first three with Williams (21).

He scored 11 points in Monday's win against the Denver, and on Saturday made four of his first five 3-point attempts.

"He'll be able to get shots when Mo comes back," coach Tyrone Corbin said. "It just depends on the game. We'll put him in situations where he can get the balls in his hands."

Williams averages 13 shots per game, and Al Jefferson is attempting 14.5. There aren't a lot of shots left for other starters. Corbin has said that is, in part, why Gordon Hayward has been more effective since trading spots with Foye.

That Foye is flourishing also could make that rotation switch the best of Corbin's many challenging lineup decisions.

"I think that he [Foye] is getting used to where he's going to get the ball," Corbin said. "Where the guys are going to get the ball, how he can read Jamaal [Tinsley] and it will change some when Mo comes back."

Which will be when?

Corbin said the Jazz are hopeful Williams will return to the lineup on Friday in Oklahoma City. It would mark one week since he landed awakwardly on his right foot while defending a 3-pointer by Sacramento's Aaron Brooks.

He has missed three and a half games with the injury.

"I think he's really close," Corbin said.

On Wednesday, Williams was in uniform for the Jazz, but not available to play. The strange decision seemed to be a compromise between Corbin and his point guard, who spent Wednesday lobbying to return to the lineup against the Hornets.

"You put a uniform on," Corbin said of the deal, "but you can't get on the floor. And if I call your name, don't stand up, just sit there and look at me funny."